Eye on India June 2, 2008

My Trip to India was more than a fun actually but I tried to sneeze into the world’s largest growing economy. I tried my best and every moment I was trying to figure out why they are going good even though they have graver problems than ours. So whatever I am going to write is under the code of conduct of Journalism and totally Unbiased.

I’ll be reviewing both the good and the bad that I noticed.

Goods:

Education: If anyone asks what is the best thing about India? I would say education. It’s not the quality but the system. I reviewed books not thoroughly though but at least it gave me idea what actually India wants from its future. The primary education books were of fine quality from curriculum point of view. There was a good emphasis on science education which is basically future of any era. Coming to Board system, it was divided into two; one was state board system which was not considered as the best and other one was CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education)- the same as Federal Board over here. But there was eye-catching difference between CBSE books and State Board books and their paper-pattern as well. The best thing was there wasn’t any concept of cheating over there. Defining briefly, in CBSE studying smartly was the key factor to success rather than studying and remembering more like in board system.

As far as University/College level education is concerned, it is almost the same everywhere in the world. The difference can be the kind of faculty available and the R&D opportunities being provided or cultivated. I didn’t feel any difference between the technical education over there and here in Pakistan. The subjects were same; books being followed were same and even the course outline was the same. But the difference was there wasn’t any concept of GPA over there but percentage system except in IITs where there was GPA system. There were more colleges being affiliated to a university rather than hundreds of universities for instance, 283 engineering colleges of Tamil Nadu were affiliated with ANNA Univeristy, Chennai and almost 500 different kinds of colleges were affiliated with Bombay Univeristy. And actaully this was good but it increase harmony as students of those 283 colleges were getting the same degree and they all give the same exam unlike here where there are chain of univeristies rather affiliations. So in this way, new and good colleges will groom faster depending upon their results because the parameter for measuring the quality of education is same.

Another and may be the best thing about Indian Education was “Cheap”. The best education was accessible to even lower middle-class if not lower class unlike in Pakistan. Fees of even the best schools were bearable. I.e. my two cousins in Chennai pay only 15K (each) per annum when they are in the best school of the city unlike in metro cities of Pakistan where 15K is fees of one month alone (i.e. KGS, Lyceum and many more).

The only bad thing in education system was the trend of coaching centers. This thing is pointing to the emptiness being left by the school system i.e. in US there is barely any concept of Coaching and tuitions it’s because their schooling is so strong. I myself have gone through this phase of life, so I know how dependable coaching can make you sometimes. In Mumbai, parents were flowing here and there to get the admission of their child in the best coaching centre submitting the fees of whole 2 years together. Coaching is more of a wastage of time if one gets even moderate teacher in school.

I have also witness the side-effects of this good system. Kids were being buried with the high hopes of parents. JEE, Medical, CAT, MSCE, AIEEE, AIMS, IIT, IIM, NIIT and blah blah blah. Parents were stressing more on the degree which is hot in the market irrespective to the skills of their child. I noticed this thing almost every where. Very few schools were providing counseling though but I met one counselor, she says “Actually students are less willing to utilize us”.

But still this promising system was working fine for the government and the economy and that’s what has been and will be the secret of success of India.

-This series of articles ll be continuing. I’ll be covering other good and bad aspects of India. If someone want to add or rectify something he or she is more than welcome.

It’s Mumbai April 21, 2008

Mumbai is known as the land of opportunities. I spent almost two days over there where I tried to sneeze in the city where 6.5 million people travel through local trains and they know 5 of them will die today because of these local trains but they still travel in it, The city which never stops moving whether it is 26^th July, ’05 when record 946 mm rain fall and city was about to be drown, the city which is full of superstitious (in terms of religion) people, the city where every person living there whether it is small kholi or big bungalow dreams about becoming the richest in days, the city where you’ll find the small temples under every other tree like:

Mumbai has better infrastructure than the other cities where I went including Hyderabad and Chennai but not better than Nagpur. But Mumbai isn’t what we assume by watching Bollywood movies. It was a totally flip indeed. I remember the moment when my flight was about to land at Mumbai’s local airport (Santa Cruz) while returning from Chennai and almost for five minutes from the air I could see the worst slums of this world may be. Those pictures were so drastically painful that the person seeing that for first time will not be able to hold himself from tearing. The worst problem of Mumbai was Traffic. It was in incredibly bad situation. Roads were far narrower than what we have in Karachi. There were far less flyovers and there was any concept of under-passes. Comparing Mumbai with Karachi, being unbiased I believe Mumbai is no where nearer to it except that Mumbai has better and bigger shopping malls, the glamor was good and of course, Mumbai’s night life rocks. Mumbai is nice place to visit and Karachi isn’t. But coming to a common man, I believe that a common man doesn’t need the night life nor he needs the glamour or huge shopping malls but a less stressful and easy life. The common man has to struggle far more than what a karachite has to do over here even though the population is almost the same of two cities (160 million). Karachite has far luxurious life than a mumbian. But unlike Karachi, There was a treand of big Buildings though not skyscrapers but if you compare those with karachi ones definitly those were skyscrapers. 30-Story Buildings were quite common over there and prices were sky-rocketing. In Worli, one square feet cost around 60K INR means 1000 square feet flat will make upto 60 million INR where the same flat even in most expensive area of Karachi (Lets say, Zamzama or Phase-VIII) will not exceed 30 Million PKR.

Another interesting and new thing that I noticed over there was the presence of small temples almost after every other signal. It was good of course but the reason behind that undoubtedly wrong (Why?… wait for my another blog). I also visited the famous Sidhividhaik temple where I had a very strange experience. A business person also came to visit there while I was in queue and about to enter the main temple. Few temple caretakers intervened and asked every one to go out and wait at main gate so that those business logos can offer their own prayers while others watching them. “What the hell is this?” I thought. It seems like people were waiting there like animals throwing upon each other while the humans were offering their prayers. It felt so bad that I had never experienced before and hopefully I never will. I used to think that I have missed my religion a lot being in Islamic state but not this kind at least. In Pakistan, we have harmony wherever you may go.

Coming to shopping now, Mumbai is an awesome place to shop only if you have an ample amount of money in your pocket. It is quite expensive than Karachi when it comes to brands and even if you start considering the exchange rate, you will never able to shop anything. But there were quite a huge variety of brands than in Karachi.

Now coming to the Girls, hoooooooo… I feel really bad about mumbai boyzzz… even I spent the majority of time in Porche areas of mumbai but i don’t remember even a single face for which I could say ‘Not bad’. Everything was artificial unlike Karachi where you find the pretty faces after one an other. So  Hats off to Karachi Girlzzzz. And one more thing I want to add, I hardly find any girl wearing skirts or anything like that though i found two or three, so what people assume over here for Mumbai is something which is still a long way a head even for them. The atmosphere for women wasn’t secure at all. Women don’t feel secure going out in their cars after 9 or 10 pm.

Overall, If God asks me to choose between Karachi and Mumbai; I would have chosen Mumbai before this visit but not now.

In the Air February 7, 2008

Flying above the blue clouds I was like in the heaven which leads to my sweet home. Writing this blog sitting at 10,400 m above the sea level with outside air temperature -40 Celsius and covering the distance of 800 kms has its own taste. The taste which I never had before nor I’ll find anywhere. I am on flight from Mumbai, India to Karachi, Pakistan; in short I am on my way back to home after whole 20 days away from parents, siblings, friends and somewhat from myself as well.

I’ll write separately for my India trip as I couldn’t find enough time to settle down and write. But overall, going to home feeling is something I am craving for most now. I just want go home and hug and kiss my mom. Loveeeeeeeee uuuuuuuuuuu mommmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…. I am comingggggggg. It was fist ever trip of my life without anyone for pampering me. But truly speaking I have learnt one thing during all these days and that is the true value and meaning of Family and country. And sitting somewhat more close to God than on land I want to thank him for whatever he has given to me.

20 days and at least 10 mails from sister containing the list of “don’ts”.

e.g. don’t talk to strangers. Don’t discuss politics with anyone. Don’t tell anyone I am Pakistani. And blah blah blah. I know it is because she cares about me a lot. And thank you again God for giving such an annoying sister.

In the air…. I have realized this, doesn’t matter how bad one’s home or country is; nothing can occupy its place that one true human being may have in his heart.

Now I can clearly see the bright sun light coming over my face. Its like sun is waving me. “Hello……..Sun jiiiiii.”

In the air I have realized the importance of identity that one country gives you. This alone reason is more than enough to spend your whole life for that country though not necessarily in that country.

I can’t hold my nerves anymore because now flight is about to touch my Karachi. Yahooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo I am about to be at home. Bub bye.

Welcome to Indyeah… January 18, 2008

I just don’t know from where I should begin this. I mean emotions are running high in my mind, feelings are thriving and hands can’t decide from where I should begin this journey.

I have spent of 5 years of life here in India. So, India wasn’t totally new but coming here after whole 12 years and meeting my relatives to whom I have never seen and even for some, I have never heard of, was very exciting experience. When I was leaving Karachi airport, I felt like I am going away from home but while landing at Mumbai airport I felt like I am going to my real home. It was very emotional experience. When I had the first sight of Mumbai from 10,000 meters above, I just wanted to jump from there if had a parachute.

After landing and immigration process, when I first touched the land, I kissed the land of Bharat Mata. Driving through the traffic of Mumbai, I was trying to get the glimpse of the toughest city of planet may be. So called the city of fortune and opportunities has some charisma which was attracting me like a magnet. It felt really good when I first saw a woman with Marathi style sari walking down the road with some loads on her head. In short, I was tasting the real India, My India. Then from other side came the rickshaw, far wider than Pakistanis. Though traffic was annoying and roads were giving me bumpy drive but still I was enjoying the every moment of it. Going through different areas, then came the well-developed area of Mumbai where 30 story building was common. Even I saw few 50, 60 story buildings. But that wasn’t the India for which it is known for.

Going through flyovers I saw a basti of jhoopad-patis. Wow that was awesome. Now it has been two days since I came here. I am trying to analyze the India as common Indian. I am trying to see the India with different angles. The Booming nation with enthusiastic young people is the place for which I can write and write for may be my whole life time. And how could I forget the chat-pati pani puris, dosas and, itli samber.

 

I Love you,

Indyeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

More on the way……………………………………